2020 Kia Niro EV Recalls & Complaints

Incident: September 1, 2026 · Filed: September 3, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant system warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle following a charging session, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle while the coolant system warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery voltage decreased from 12 volts to 2 volts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and TSB: ELE270 was associated with the issue. The contact was informed that the inverter coolant pipes had failed and needed to be replaced, and that the BSC-1 coolant needed to be replaced with BSC-2 coolant. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the coolant system warning light was illuminated after the vehicle was returned. The contact was concerned that the vehicle posed a fire risk because the vehicle was being charged in the garage at the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Incident: July 1, 2026 · Filed: August 23, 2026

I am submitting a complaint regarding a safety issue with the rearview camera on my 2020 Kia Niro EV. VIN # [XXX] The rearview camera display has stopped functioning properly. Based on technical research and driver community reports, this issue appears to stem from an electrical surge that causes the camera circuit to malfunction. Upon checking owner forums, I became aware of an active manufacturer campaign/recall (Kia Recall SC342) related to this fault. However, I have not received any official recall notification or letter from Kia regarding my vehicle. Because a non-functioning rearview camera significantly reduces rear visibility and poses a clear safety hazard, I request that the NHTSA review this defect and ensure affected owners are properly notified and provided with a repair solution. Thank you for your assistance in investigating this safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: October 30, 2025 · Filed: June 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the rearview camera intermittently failed to display an image when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The contact stated that reverse engaged normally, and the audible alert was sounded; however, the display screen periodically remained blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred several times. The contact stated that the rearview camera operated properly for a while before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer prior to the expiration of the warranty. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken for additional diagnostic tests, and the dealer would consult with technical assistance from the manufacturer to determine how to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

Incident: December 6, 2022 · Filed: February 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall on two separate occasions; however, the part failed a third time after the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer declined to offer additional repairs under the recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V899000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); and associated the failures with the recall. The vehicle was driven to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Incident: September 12, 2025 · Filed: September 14, 2025

I had just left my doctor after a protracted visit and was almost late for dinner guests. I noticed a thumping and thought it was the road, but it was a 3/8" bolt in my tire tread.I pulled up at Costco, hoping they could repair it quickly but was told I had to wait 2.5 hours when I had guests coming in an hour. I decided I would have to change the tire. When opening the trunk I found there is no spare, but saw a kit to fix the flat, which I vaguely remember reading about. I'm in a huge hurry to get home but I open the Owner's manual and there is: NADA about the flat repair. So I look at the components. There is a container of the repair solution and a pump with cartoons on it and a hose with a needle to insert into the puncture. After studying the cartoons for about 5 minutes (I am a highly technical, retired 82 year old ex IT professional), I figured out how to connect the can into the pump the hose to the pump and the power cord into the cigarette lighter (how many people still smoke and what would happen if the 12v socket disappears). I was then able to try to repair the puncture but it was for nought as the hole - duh - was too big. I also apparently ruined any chance the repair shop could repair the hole. The tire shop said my repair solution ruined the chance to repair the tire. Heaven help me if I get a flat in the rural boondocks!!!!! My complaint is: 1. What if this happened on a dark 2 lane country road 100 miles from nowhere and I were a single female or aged, frail couple? How would they manage to put together the repair flat kit with the hieroglyphic documentation on the repair kit pump? Could they be stranded for days without food, water, survival gear like coats or blankets? 2. Not supplying a spare doughnut tire could be imperiling vulnerable people. 3. The Owner's manual does not mention tire repair at all.

Incident: November 13, 2023 · Filed: July 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Niro. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the refill inverter coolant warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the refill inverter warning light illuminated while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with debris and corrosion in the inverters and electronic water pump. The contact was informed that the radiator and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in November 2023, the contact received Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, and the dealer attempted four times to perform the repair but was unsuccessful. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer who performed the Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, had not diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an alternate dealer, who investigated and informed the contact that the Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, repair was not properly performed, and stated that this was the reason for the corrosion and debris in the water pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact stated that a buy-back by the manufacturer was requested; however, the buy-back request was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 44,910.

Incident: June 4, 2025 · Filed: June 5, 2025

There is a silver strip that runs horizontally along the middle of the dashboard from one side to the other. It’s made out of a very reflective material. During the midday hours, it brightly shines the sun directly into the driver’s and passenger’s eyes—it’s very blinding!–and makes it difficult and unsafe to drive. I can’t even begin to think about teaching our teenage son how to drive in this car because of this safety issue.

Incident: March 1, 2024 · Filed: January 1, 2025

About 7 months ago, "Refill Inverter Coolant" warning came up. Since then, I've scheduled service appoitment wtih Van Nuys Kia dealership 5 times to resolve this issue, but even after recent appoitment 2 weeks ago, this warning is still came up on my dashboard. Every time I start the car, the persistent refill inverter coolant light comes on. I believe I am experiencing this issue because KIA and their dealership where I bought my car doesn't want take ownership of this issue and resolve it. I am deeply concerned about my safety and the safety of my children when I drive my Kia vehicle.

Incident: November 30, 2024 · Filed: November 30, 2024

vehicle started jerking suddenly and uncontrollably. It jerked to the side almost gliding into another vehicle there is a smell also coming from the car and wheels have extensive loss of threading due to abrupt change of speed and direction. Controlling the vehicle does this more regularly but this time I almost hit a vehicle to the side of me and I could not get cargo straight for a second it was a quick incident but it's pretty much made me want to check into this recall because it was very scary. And I don't know if it'll get worse because it seems to have gradually gotten worse and is messing up certain parts of the car that I need and I can tell the difference and I have not been in an accident thank God because I was able to control the vehicle but I do feel that it's only going to get worse and I don't like the smell I endure and I know that's one of the signs of the recall. But I do not like to drive with danger so think this is becoming more important.

Incident: May 21, 2024 · Filed: May 22, 2024

The interior instrument panel horizontal angled trim has a shiny metal surface that when the sun shines on it, reflects into the driver's eyes causing a blinding experience. The driver cannot see the instrument panel, the display, the controls, and causes a total white out/ washout of visibility. Due to a camera's light sensitivity and auto adjustment of same, pictures don't serve well as to the actual blinding experience.